Northwich Victoria 5

Redditch United 1

WRETCHED Reds crashed to a 5-1 mauling in Cheshire and they could have had few complaints if Vics had hit double figures.

With the exception of a five-minute spell around the hour mark, Rod Brown's side were a sorry sight, run ragged by a team sure to be one of the league's leading lights.

Expectations at the Valley Stadium were high this season but, on this form, the only certainty is that the Reds faithful face a long season.

The opening goal came on nine minutes with the others hitting the net at regular intervals.

United have had problems defending set pieces this season and the Northwich spies had obviously done their work.

The opener came from a Danny Mayman cross and towering defender Mike Carr was left unmarked to head home from eight yards.

Five minutes later and Vics produced a carbon copy to double their lead, Mayman this time floating over a corner for Steve Payne to amble in and direct his header beyond the cruelly exposed Ryan Young.

The word had gone out to shoot on sight and midfielder Stuart Elliott did just that midway through the half with a dipping volley that almost crept under the Reds crossbar.

The visitors created their first chance ten minutes before the break when John Williams sent a curling 20-yard effort just wide of the upright.

But any hopes the travelling United fans had that this would signal a fightback were to be cruelly disappointed.

The Vics finished the half on top when another Mayman corner found its man, Kieron Charnock this time having the space but not the accuracy as his header flew too high.

But it was only a matter of time before the Cheshire side added to their tally and they did just that 50 seconds into the second half. The impressive Carlos Roca skipped through three half-hearted challenges before laying the ball off to Jonny Allan who slotted home for his fifth of the season.

Young produced a fine save to keep out a thundering Payne header on 54 minutes and this finally seemed to spark Reds into life.

Paul Moore forced a good save from home keeper Kris Rogers who then kept out a Chris Murphy effort moments later.

United were forcing their hosts back and, with 62 minutes gone, John Williams glanced in a Daire Doyle cross.

But after giving themselves a chance, Reds threw it away ten minutes later when Doyle's foul on Roca earned the Vics a penalty which Paul Brayson duly slotted home.

Substitute Mike Byrne was denied by a fine Young save in injury time but he made amends seconds later to round off the scoring.